ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Railways
Catering & Reservation System in Trains
Provision of catering services in trains is being made by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation  through Pantry Cars, Train Side Vending and Static Units available at stations. In addition, travelling passengers have the facility to order food of their choice through e-Catering services for which branded and reputed food suppliers and aggregators have been empanelled by IRCTC.
Regarding tourism, Indian Railways , in association with IRCTC and State Tourism Development Corporations, operates various tourism products, ranging from budget to luxury segments such as Bharat Darshan/ Aastha Circuit/ Pilgrim Specials, Buddhist Circuit Trains, Maharajas’ Express, Deccan Odyssey, Palace on Wheels and Golden Chariot.
Regarding ticketing operations, IR, with a view to facilitate passengers to procure reserved as well as unreserved tickets, make arrangements to dispense the same through various modes e.g. Unreserved Ticketing System  counters, Passenger Reservation System  counters, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines , UTSONMOBILE App, authorized ticketing agents of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation , Jan Sadharan Ticket Booking Sewak , Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra , Station Ticket Booking Agents  Halt Agents, etc. Decision to provide ticketing through Railways own machinery or through private agencies is taken keeping in view the volume of passenger, passenger convenience, Railways financial interests, etc. which is a continuous and ongoing process.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
1770 Van Dhan Kendras Sanctioned so Far in 22 States and One UT
A total of 1770 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras  have so far been sanctioned in 22 States & one Union Territory for promotion of tribal entrepreneurship and livelihood generations wherein a total of about 5.27 Lakhs beneficiaries have been associated. This includes 5 VDVKs sanctioned for Uttar Pradesh State as per details below:
|
|
Sl.
No.
|
|
NameofDistrict
|
|
Name of
VDVKs
sanctioned
|
|
Amount
Sanctioned
|
|
NumberofSelfHelpGroup
|
|
Number ofBeneficiaries
|
|
1
|
|
Sonbhadra
|
|
3
|
|
45.00
|
|
45
|
|
947
|
|
2
|
|
Lalitpur
|
|
2
|
|
14.55
|
|
15
|
|
291
|
|
Total
|
|
5
|
|
59.55
|
|
60
|
|
1238
It is envisaged to scale up implementation of the program in 26 States and 308 Districts including 39 aspirational districts where significant forest dwelling tribal population and rich source of Minor Forest Produces. Further it is envisaged to explore opportunities to forge convergence with other central line Ministries to boost the initiative.
This information was given by Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Smt. Renuka Singh Saruta in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Textiles
65 significant traditional handloom products registered under the Geographical Indications of Goods  Act, 1999
11 Textiles Articles with some technical specifications are exclusively reserved for production on Handlooms
The Government has been implementing the Handlooms  Act, 1985 for production of reserved items only on Handlooms and to protect the interest of handlooms weavers in the country. 11 textiles articles with some technical specifications are exclusively reserved for production on handlooms. Central Assistance is provided under the Scheme to eligible State Governments for effective implementation of the Act. Inspections are carried out in the field by respective State Handloom Departments and field offices of the Central Govt. for enforcing the provisions of the Act.
The Government has introduced ‘Handloom Mark” to identify products woven on handlooms. Awareness creation activities are carried out from time to time to popularise these measures.
65 important and famous traditional handloom products have been registered under the Geographical Indications  of Goods  Act, 1999. Registered users of GI products have rights under the Act to approach the respective police authorities to safeguard their interests against illegal manufacturing / marketing of GI registered handloom products. State Handlooms & Textiles Departments have been advised to make special efforts to provide protection to such GI registered handloom products.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Textiles Smt. Darshana Jardoshin a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Union Sports Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur flags off two new projects at SAI - Patiala says projects a gift to athletes on 61st Foundation Day
On the occasion of the 61st Foundation Day of Sports Authority of India's  Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports - Patiala , Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur laid the foundation stone of two new projects at the premier institute, today.
This is part of the revamping of NSNIS PAtiala wherein givt is investing more than Rs 150 cr in 3 years
The first project is the setting up of a National Centre of Sports Coaching including a High tech sports science labs and Strength & Conditioning Hall for the education of diploma holders.
The new infrastructure includes an indoor 3 lane track and a full rehabilitation and recovery gym for athletes. The strength and conditioning hall has the capacity to accommodate 150 athletes at one go and promises to be one of the biggest such facility in the country.
The second project is the construction of a centralised fully air-conditioned Kitchen and Food Court with a sitting capacity of 400 people and a modular kitchen with a capacity of preparing 2000 meals.
The 3rd project is the increase of hostel capacity by 450 with the building of 2 news hostels in the campus.
Speaking about the importance of the projects, Shri. Thakur said, "NSNIS Patiala is India's premier sporting institute and on the occasion of its 61st Foundation Day, these projects are a gift to athletes. Good, hygienic diet and rehab and recovery are basic requirements of every athlete and therefore it was felt that these two projects need to be taken up on priority. The two projects are among the 13 infrastructure projects lined up for 2022-23. From 2014 to 2021 23 projects have been launched to ensure that athletes have the facilities they need to train well and excel in their sport
The Union Sports Minister also visited various other parts of the sprawling 268 acre campus and met athletes, coaches and Officials for informal interactions.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to visit Meerut on 2nd January
PM to lay foundation stone of Major Dhyan Chand Sports University to be established at a cost of about Rs 700 crore
In line with PM's vision of establishing world class sporting infrastructure in all parts of the country
University to be equipped with modern and state of the art sports infrastructure
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Meerut on 2nd January 2022 and lay the foundation stone of Major Dhyan Chand Sports University at around 1 PM. The University will be established at Salawa and Kaili villages of Sardhana town in Meerut at an estimated cost of about Rs 700 Crore.
One of the key areas of focus for the Prime Minister is inculcating sporting culture and establishing world class sporting infrastructure in all parts of the country. The establishment of Major Dhyan Chand Sports University at Meerut will be a major step towards fulfilling this vision.
The Sports University will be equipped with modern and state of the art sports infrastructure including synthetic Hockey ground, Football ground, Basketball/Volleyball/Handball/Kabaddi ground, Lawn tennis court, Gymnasium hall, Synthetic running stadium, Swimming pool, Multipurpose hall and a Cycling velodrome. The university will also house facilities for Shooting, Squash, Gymnastics, Weightlifting, Archery, Canoeing and Kayaking, among other facilities. The University will have the capacity of training 1080 sportspersons including 540 female and 540 male sportspersons.
Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur Transfers Water Purification Technology to a Maharashtra Organisation to get rid of Contamination
Kolkata, March 30, 2021
Scarcity of water and water contamination are two big menaces we fight against every now- a- then. CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur has been working on this problem for a long time and has come up with innovative technologies for the benefit of humankind. The technologies are premised upon locally available resources which have been innovatively developed. Of late, as a part of eradicating the problem of having contaminants in water, CSIR-CMERI has transferred the technologies of the High Flow Rate De-fluoridation Plant of capacity 10,000 Litre / hour and the High Flow Rate Arsenic Removal Plant of capacity 5000 Litre / hour to M/s Unicare Technologies Pvt. Ltd. of Pune, Maharashtra today in the presence of Prof. Harish Hirani, Director, CSIR-CMERI and senior officials of M/s Unicare Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof.  Hirani stated that CSIR-CMERI is in a constant process of developing innovative means to deal with several environmental pollution menaces, one of which is water contamination. CSIR-CMERI is continuously engaged in development of affordable water technologies to ensure sustainable access to water for drinking, farming, etc. he reiterated.
According to the Director, CSIR-CMERI, to industrialise these technologies, the institute’s approach is to transfer the technology to industry, provide skills to the youngsters, involve local resources and share knowledge with government officials so that strong relations are built, which are very crucial for strengthening the economic parameters of the nation. Over a million people across the country has already been benefitted from the CSIR-CMERI Water Technologies. The Industry partners of CSIR-CMERI are spread across the spectrum of the country to ensure maximal national outreach.
It is to be noted that CSIR-CMERI has already transferred over 62 Water Technologies to MSMEs across the country. CSIR-CMERI developed water purification technologies and quality also. In a period of last one month around 80 students from Seacom Skills University, Shantiniketan, Durgapur women’s College, Durgapur Government College, NIT-Durgapur, Burdwan University and Vidyasagar University, Suri, B. B. College Asansol etc. have participated in the programme. Prof.  Hirani said, skilling the youth on ecological innovations such as water will also sensitise them towards responsible usage of extremely valuable resources such as water. The Institute is also engaged in developing the infrastructure repair and upgradation of the technologies to provide the latest available solutions to the masses.
Ministry of Defence
Parakram Parv Celebrations
Indian Armed Forces have always brought laurels to the Nation. Their contribution in war and peace are of immense value to every Indian.
It is the contribution of our Armed Forces that we proudly celebrate Vijay Diwas, Kargil Vijay Diwas Day and many such battle honour days.
Indian Army conducted surgical strikes in 2016 which had strategic ramifications and were aimed to dissuade inimical adversary from adopting the path of violence and to ensure an environment of peace for the Nation.
To showcase the courage, valour and sacrifice of Armed Forces, ‘Parakram Parv’ is being observed from 28-30 September 2018. The main event is planned in India Gate Lawns, Rajpath, New Delhi. Similarly, 53 locations in 51 cities across the Nation shall be showcasing the events highlighting valour of Indian Armed Forces in general and Special Forces in particular.
On Friday, 28 September 2018 Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman will visit India Gate lawns, New Delhi to commemorate the inauguration of ‘Parakram Parv’ and will also interact with children. The programme will start with bugle call at 1830 hrs, thereafter, movies and photographs depicting valour & courage of the Armed Forces will be shown. Huge canvas/digital signing walls for sending messages to the soldiers will help citizens connect with them. Letters addressed to soldiers by school children will also be on the display. The event is open from 1100 hrs to 2200 hrs on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors will get the opportunity to see captured weapons used by terrorists that have been brought from Jammu & Kashmir. Military equipment like artillery guns and small arms will also be on display. On 29 and 30 September 2018 noted singers are scheduled to perform at the venue apart from the Military band.
General public is encouraged to take selfies at all venues, including India Gate and post them on the social networking sites with #ParakramParv.
Col Aman Anand
PRO 
(Visitor Counter : 1343
Prime Minister's Office
United States Congressional Delegation calls on Prime Minister
An eight-member bipartisan US Congress delegation led by Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.
Prime Minister welcomed the delegation to India. He appreciated the strong bipartisan support of the US Congress in deepening the partnership between India and the United States.
Prime Minister exchange views with the delegation members on the bilateral partnership and other issues of mutual interest. He called for further enhancing exchanges with the US Congress.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Maharashtra Coast to be Developed as Tourism hotspot: Suresh Prabhu
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu, has writtento Minister of State  for Tourism, K.J. Alphons, and Chief Minister of Maharashtra,DevendraFadnavis, for developing Maharashtra coast as atourist hotspot. He said that the marine leisure sector is the fastest growing segment of the travel industry and growth ofcruise ship industry, seaside destination resorts, marine parks, scuba diving and aquariums. India, with a coast line of 7500 km., has tremendous potential for development in this sector.
Commerce Minister said that the Ministry has received a proposal from the Services Export Promotion Council  and Indian Institute of Scuba Diving and Aquatic Sports  Malwan, Sindhudurg, for a comprehensive plan to encourage marine tourism along the coast of Maharashtra. The proposal includes development of scuba diving and domestic cruise tourism destinations at Angria Bank, underwater tourism of global standards, submarine tourism in Sindhudurg, setting up India’s largest aquarium in Sindhudurg to create awareness about marine biodiversity and strengthening IISDA as an accredited Institute for innovation and skill development in the aquatic tourism sector.
The Commerce Minister said that this proposal will complement tourism Ministry’s initiative for development of coastal circuit in Sindhudurg to be executed through Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation for which an amount of Rs. 82.17 Cr. has already been sanctioned. Commerce Minister hasrequested Mr. Alphons and chief Minister of Maharashtra to consider the proposal for early action under the Champion Sector Initiative.
In February2018, Union Cabinet had decided to give focused attention to 12 champion services sectors and mandated the identified nodal Ministries and Departments to formulate sectoral action plans under the dedicated fund of Rs. 5000 Crore. Ministry of Tourism has been identified as the nodal Ministry for the Tourism and Hospitality Champion Service Sector.
President's Secretariat
President of India’s message on the eve of Independence Day of Belarus
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Republic of Belarus on the eve of their Independence Day .
In a message to His Excellency Mr. Alexander Lukashenko, the President of the Republic of Belarus, the President has said, “On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, it gives me pleasure in extending my warm greetings and felicitations to Your Excellency and the people of Belarus on the occasion of your Independence Day.
India’s relations with Belarus have traditionally been warm and friendly. I am confident that these relations will further strengthen and diversify in the years to come.
I take this opportunity to extend my good wishes for Your Excellency’s personal health and well-being and success as well as progress and prosperity of the friendly people of the Republic of Belarus.”
Ministry of Defence
Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru: Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare organises a seminar on harnessing partnership for rehabilitation, welfare & medical care for veterans
As part of Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare’s vision for Amrit Kaal 2023-2047, efforts are being made to garner greater corporate and philanthropist partnership for the well-being of the veterans. A seminar on ‘Harnessing Partnership for Veterans Rehabilitation, Welfare & Medical Care’ was organised as part of 14th Aero India in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023. This event was an attempt to utilise the platform of Aero India 2023 for greater promotion and awareness towards this field.
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt was the Chief Guest on this occasion. He lauded this novel initiative of Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare. Secretary  Shri Vijoy Kumar Singh, during his address, highlighted the huge potential of veterans in contributing to the economic development, especially in view of the fast-paced ‘Make in India’ initiatives.
DG Resettlement Maj Gen Sharad Kapur elaborated on the skills and competencies of Defence Veterans and Entrepreneurship Model for their Resettlement. Secretary KSB Cmde HP Singh highlighted the avenues for CSR Partnership for Veterans Welfare through Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. MD ECHS Maj Gen NR Indurkar pitched for the concept of Veterans Hospital via CSR/PPP Mode.
Prominent speakers from the Industry and Government, including Member, National Security Advisory Board Shri Anshuman Tripathi, Managing Director, Boeing Defence India Rear Adm Surendra Ahuja  and Advisor, Adani Defence and Aerospace & Lt Gen Santosh Upadhya  also presented their thoughts on greater industry participation in rehabilitation, welfare & medical care of the veterans.
The seminar was attended by more than 150 members of the Defence Industry and corporate sector. Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare has also placed a stall in Aero India Pavilion for greater interaction and awareness with the participants.
Special Service and Features
SPARSH Outreach Programme for Tri-Services Pensioners
Govt. of India is organising Outreach Programme from 20-04-2023 to 28-04-2023 for identification and grievance redressal of SPARSH Pensioners from the tri-services  in many districts. across India.
As part of the same, a mass SPARSH Outreach Programme was organised on 24-4-2023 for the Defence Pensioners at CVRDE Auditorium, Avadi by the Controller of Defence Accounts  Chennai. Shri Praveen Kumar, IDAS, Additional CGDA, New Delhi, Shri Sandeep Rai Rathore, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Avadi and Shri V.Balamurugan, Director, CVRDE were the Chief Guests for the event. Shri T. Jayaseelan, IDAS, Controller of Defence Accounts  Chennai presided over the Event.
Shri Praveen Kumar, IDAS spoke about the importance of timely identification of pensioners in pension disbursement and the role of SPARSH in simplifying the process of pension sanction to Disbursement. He also explained about the steps taken by the Government in Disbursement of OROP Arrears. Shri. T. Jayaseelan, IDAS clarified the queries of the pensioners and resolved grievances related to SPARSH.
Shri. Sandeep Rai Rathore, IPS talked about the imminent dangers of online identity theft like hacking, phishing from cyber security point of view and emphasized the pensioners not to share their OTP with anyone. He also appreciated DAD for creating a robust authentication system in SPARSH portal.
Around 800 pensioners from the districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu attended the above outreach program. Stalls were installed for Life Certificate Identification, Aadhaar updation, SPARSH information, Grievances Redressal, Banking facilities, etc.
PIB Headquarters
Indian Overseas Bank – CENTRAL OFFICE – CHENNAI
“Indian Overseas Bank in coordination with the Rotary Club of Madras  conducted the blood donation camp on 21.08.2019 at IOB – Central Office – Chennai commemorating 73rd Independence day. The blood donation camp was inaugurated by Shri KarnamSekar, MD &CEO of Indian Overseas Bank. The Executive Director Shri Ajay Kumar Srivastava and all General Managers of IOB graced the occasion.
The Rotary Club President Shri T. R. Gopala Krishnan and Shri M. Srinivasan ex-President were also present. More than 200 donors have donated blood during the camp”
IOB Staff donating blood at blood donation camp in presence of MD & CEO Shri. KarnamSekar along with ED –Ajay Kumar Srivastava and other staff members
While inaugurating the blood donation camp Mr. KarnamSekar – MD & CEO stated that for any social cause, IOB has always been a forerunner and in limelight championing such events as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility and will continue to be so forever.
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Ministry of Defence
CDS to pay homage to martyrs on first anniversary of National War Memorial tomorrow
The first anniversary of the iconic National War Memorial  will be observed tomorrow. The monument was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on February 25, 2019. The memorial is a fitting tribute by the grateful nation to its fallen heroes in the line of duty during various wars and internal security challenges since Independence.
To mark the first anniversary, a solemn ceremony will be held at NWM tomorrow. Chief of the Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and veterans from the three services will lay wreaths and pay homage to the fallen soldiers.
The events marking the first anniversary commenced on February 22, 2020 with a static band display by the three Services. A quiz competition, based on Indian military history, is also being held between February 24-25, 2020 in which students from various schools and colleges across Delhi are taking part.
Over the last one year, more than 21 lakh people including dignitaries, both domestic and foreign, have visited the NWM. Over 5,000-7,000 people visit the monument everyday which includes a large number of students from the National Capital Region. President and Prime Minister have paid tributes at the memorial thrice in the last one year. The most poignant moment of the day at NWM is the wreath-laying ceremony which is conducted every evening, wherein one of the next of kin of martyrs lay the wreath at Amar Chakra.
ABB/SS/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy/MTJ/ADA
(Visitor Counter : 398
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Testing of Soil Quality
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research  has suggested 12 parameters as essential for soil health management in India, they are pH, electrical conductivity , Organic Carbon, available N, P, K, S and micronutrients . These parameters are included in soil health card and soil samples are processed following standard procedures and analyzed in static and mobile soil testing labs.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research  has developed two digital soil test kits for rapid estimation of all the 12 parameters enlisted in soil health card. The kits facilitate soil testing service at farmers’ doorstep.
This information was given by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.